School committee suspends commemoration policy to allow Eagle Scout’s Gaga‑pit dedication

The Pembroke School Committee on Jan. 7 unanimously approved suspending the district’s commemoration policy so an Eagle Scout could dedicate a removable gaga pit at Bryantville Elementary to honor two members of the community.

Cameron (Camden) Hawkes, introduced himself to the committee and described building the gaga pit as his Eagle Scout project. He said he asked that the pit be dedicated to Karen Boyle and Maddie Straub and said the project and dedication were intended to honor their contributions to the school community. Hawkes told the committee he attended Bryantville and PCMS and is a senior at Silver Lake Regional High School.

A committee member moved to suspend policy FFA (Commemoration). The motion was seconded by Sue. The committee recorded a unanimous vote (recorded in the meeting as unanimous with one member absent) to suspend the policy. The committee then voted, also unanimously, to allow Camden to place commemorative plaques for Karen Boyle and Maddie Straub and a potential third name (subject to family agreement) on the removable gaga‑pit structure. The committee chair noted the gaga pit is a removable, non‑permanent structure and said the suspension was intended to allow this temporary dedication.

The committee asked the family to provide any required signatures for the dedication and expressed appreciation for the Eagle Scout project. There was no disagreement recorded on the dedication vote and the committee indicated the physical plaques could be installed following completion of the paperwork.

Votes at the Jan. 7 meeting were taken aloud and recorded as unanimous; committee members noted that Natalie was not present.